10 Facts About 26/11 Martyr Ashok Kamte That You Should Know

When the nation was under attack on 26/11/2008, a few brave men were in the forefront, trying to fend off the the most horrific terrorist irruption in India in the recent history. Ashok Kamte was one of those few good men who martyred for the country that day. He was 42 years old, survived by his wife Vinita and sons, Arjun and Rahul. On 26th January, 2009, Kamte was honored with the Ashoka Chakra.

Today, on his birthday, we bring to you a peek into his life, the story of his heroism and some facts that were never really was brought much into attention.

1. Born into a family of cops

Kamte, born on February 23, 1965, belonged to a family with a long line of police officers. With Khakee as a shade of his blood, Kamte was almost pre-destined to serve the nation as a police officer. An accomplished athlete, Kamte had even represented India at the junior power-lifting championship in Peru, 1978.

 

2. A cop of principles

Kamte made it to the headlines in 2007 when he arrested Ravikant Patil in Solapur. He was three time Member of the Legislative Assembly and his brother was a Shiva Sena leader but that didn’t let Kamte back down. “Law is equal for all and nobody has the right to violate it”, Kamte would say.

 

3. A cop well known

During the frequent communal violence of Mumbai, areas under the supervision of Kamte mostly remained free or trouble. Often compared to Bollywood heroes, Kamte was well known, popular and respected. More than 3000 people came to pay their respects on the day Kamte was cremated.

 

4. Kamte was needed on 26/11

Kamte who was appreciated for dealing with hardened criminals and politicians was also known for his excellent skills in negotiation and crisis management. When the city faced the perilous encroachment, Kamte’s services were required without question and so, he was summoned on 26/11.

 

5. The fatal bullet

After a valiant fight, Kamte was finally hit in the head by Ismail Khan’s bullet who fired a volley of shots. It all took place in a narrow lane between Rang Bhavan and Kamte’s Alma mater, St. Xavier’s College, just a couple of minutes from the Crime Branch Office.

 

6. It was Kamte’s plan to attack from the gate of Cama Hospital

Kamte, upon reaching the site, armed with AK47, fired at the terrorists and they responded with hand grenades. It is then that Kamte suggested to attack them from the front gate of the Cama Hospital but the terrorists already escaped from the front gate before the plan could be executed.

 

7. Kamte’s plan failed due to lack of back up

His, wife, Vinita Kamte has written in her book, that although reports say that Kamte and Hemant Karkare were together from the beginning, they weren’t in reality. Karkare had reached the site on his own and had radioed the central room, asking for back up to encircle the Cama Hospital. However, the back up was not sent on time.

 

8. When Kamte, Karkare and Salaskar finally got together

They approached the Rangbhavan lane at around 12:01 am, spotted the terrorists and fired at them. Kamte got out of the vehicle and fired with his AK47. He hit Ajmal Kasab but was hit by a fatal bullet of Ismail. Kamte and Karkare died on the spot,while Kasab and Salaskar were severely injured.

 

9. Kamte could have been saved

The terrorist took them out of the vehicle, threw them on the street and left off with the police vehicle. Apparently, Kamte was left bleeding to die from 12.04 am to 12.49 am. Vinita raised the question in her book that why were they left on the street for 40 minutes when the police headquarters were only a couple of minutes away from the spot.

 

10. An honorable cremation

A martyr, Kamte was cremated the next day at the Vaikunth Crematorium. Many officers of high rank were present in the funeral procession joined by 3000 of Kamte’s followers, admirers and well wishers.

It’s been almost 8 years since the ghastly incident but the courageous sacrifice of Additional Police Commissioner, Ashok Kamte will be remembered forever.

Fact Source 1 ,Fact Source 2 

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